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☆ Big, Smoggy Bangkok Gets a Badly Needed Breath of Fresh Air
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Richard C. Paddock | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

For more than half a century, Thailand’s state-owned tobacco monopoly mass-produced cigarettes at a sprawling industrial estate in Bangkok. A steady stream of heavy trucks brought raw tobacco into the heart of the city and hauled millions of cigarettes away. But now, that cancer-inducing complex has given way to something completely different: green space that has brought a breath of fresh air to Bangkok’s congested, often smoggy center. The site — an expansion of the existing Benjakitti Park — includes a mile-long elevated walkway, as well as water-purifying wetlands, 8,000 new trees, pickleball and basketball courts, and a dog-walking zone. At sunset, as the heat of the day eases, it is often packed with visitors, many posing for selfies.

Organizations: selfies Locations: Bangkok

☆ Hundreds of thousands of fish died in a single reservoir in Vietnam, another sign of how climate change is strangling the economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A prolonged drought in southeast Asia contributed to massive fish deaths in southern Vietnam. The climate crisis and human development threaten the Mekong Delta, a key global agricultural center. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . In Vietnam, the maze of wetlands that comprise the Mekong Delta is called the country's "rice bowl" because of the vast agriculture it supports. Related storiesMeanwhile, in southern Vietnam, hundreds of thousands of fish died in a reservoir last month as temperatures peaked over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and no rain fell for weeks, the AFP reported.

Persons: —, El Niño, they're, Ksor Phung, VnExpress Organizations: Service, Mekong Delta, country's Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, World Bank, AFP, Residents, Business, Getty, Commission Locations: Asia, Vietnam, Delta, El, Mekong

☆ New Orleans Likes to Drink. They Spotted a Huge Recycling Opportunity
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Cara Buckley | Annie Flanagan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In early 2020, Franziska Trautmann and Max Steitz, then seniors at Tulane University, were spitballing ways to keep their glass out of the trash. For all of its imbibing, New Orleans didn’t offer curbside glass recycling. For Ms. Trautmann and Mr. Steitz, this wasn’t just galling, but a missed opportunity. “We underestimated how much demand there was,” Mr. Steitz, 27, said. Now, four years later, their company, Glass Half Full, is the only glass recycling facility in New Orleans.

Persons: Franziska Trautmann, Max Steitz, Trautmann, Steitz, ” Mr, ’ Organizations: Tulane University, Zeta Psi Locations: New Orleans, Crescent

CNN —Iranian authorities have warned that crocodiles are being forced from their natural habitats as floods devastate parts of the country’s southeast. Three road construction workers have died in the flooding, Iranian state news agency IRNA reported on Thursday, which came after a record-breaking storm hit the Middle East. Videos broadcast by state news media IRNA and Tasnim showed widespread floods with people using boats to rescue others. The weather conditions were associated with a larger storm system traversing the Arabian Peninsula and moving across the Gulf of Oman. In Oman, at least 18 were killed in flash floods triggered by heavy rain, the country’s National Committee for Emergency Management said.

Persons: IRNA, Christopher Pike Organizations: CNN, Mehr, of Environment, Iranian, United Arab, UAE, Emergency Management Locations: Bandar Abbas, Kerman, Sistan, Baluchistan, Rivers, Bahu Kalat, Dubai, UAE, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Iran, Gulf of Oman

☆ Nigeria wants a road to rival the Pacific Coast highway. Landmark Beach stands in the way
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Nimi Princewill | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The beach resort and other sections of the Landmark site on the coastal right of way are billed to be pulled down, a government notice seen by CNN states. “People who bring in money to make cities like this effective will be very concerned (with the proposed demolition of the beach resort). Environment consultant Adeodun is urging authorities to conduct thorough environmental and social impact assessments before tearing down coastal businesses for the superhighway. “I understand that the original right of way for the road did not pass through Landmark Beach… Perhaps, revisiting the routes to ensure minimal environmental damage and preserve local businesses should be strongly considered,” he added. For Onwuanibe, the coastal highway, once rethought, should serve as a blessing for thriving businesses situated along the coast rather than a curse.

Persons: Paul Onwuanibe, –, Onwuanibe, Temitope Ajayi, ”, Ajayi, Similade Adeodun, ” Onwuanibe, “ We’ve, Adeodun, ” Adeodun, “ Organizations: Nigeria CNN —, CNN, Landmark Group, Lonely, Lagos State Ministry of Physical, Urban, “, Landmark, Landmark Realty Limited, Nigerian Economic Summit Locations: Lagos, Nigeria, Calabar, Cameroon, Victoria, Ireland, United States, Victoria Island, United Kingdom, Africa, Landmark Realty Limited Lagos

☆ Opinion | Kamala Harris’s Epic Fail in Puerto Rico
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Yarimar Bonilla | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Kamala Harris arrived in San Juan, P.R., last Friday for her first official visit as vice president. The trip was meant, in part, to highlight the Biden administration’s dedication to aiding the island’s recovery. Ms. Harris’s roughly five-hour visit began in the community of San Isidro, in the municipality of Canóvanas. Many of the residents lack land titles, which made them ineligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency programs Ms. Harris aimed to promote. The area was originally an informal settlement built on public wetlands by those displaced after Hurricane Hugo in 1989.

Persons: Kamala Harris, Biden, ’ missteps, Harris’s, María Ramos de Jesús, Harris, Hugo, Ramos’s, Hurricane Maria Organizations: Department of Housing, Urban, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Hurricane Locations: San Juan, P.R, San Isidro, Canóvanas, Puerto Ricans

☆ Rising temperatures and floods leave cities with hefty bills. Startups are working to help them adapt to climate risks.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-26 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

All of this has given rise to climate adaptation, a sector that aims to mitigate against and adapt to the risks associated with climate change. For James Brennan and Navjit Sagoo, two of the scientists behind climate risk analytics startup Climate X, it is imperative that adaption efforts go hand in hand with those working to curb rising temperatures. Indeed, Bank of America analysts predicted the climate adaptation industry would be worth $2 trillion a year by 2026. Climate X made its calculations based on the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's RCP8.5 scenario, which has been deemed to be a "very high" baseline for emissions. Mike Segar/ReutersAll hands on deckThe need for climate adaptation is clear but often overlooked until an extreme weather event occurs, according to Landesman and Chaudhury.

Persons: —, James Brennan, Navjit Sagoo, Abrar Chaudhury, Autarc, Bill Gates, Tucker Landesman, Helge Jørgensen, Mike Segar, Brennan, Sagoo Organizations: Service, Business, Bank of America, Climate, X, Deloitte, University of Oxford's, Business School, New York Times, New, London, Fabian Society, Tech, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Goldman Sachs, Management, Air, International Institute for Environment, Development Locations: London, New York City, New York, California, Autarc , Massachusetts, Medellin, Colombia, Europe, PitchBook, Mamaroneck, Westchester County , New York, U.S

☆ British Wildlife Photography Awards 2024: The winning images
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The image, taken by Ryan Stalker, was chosen as the grand prize winner for the 2024 British Wildlife Photography Awards (BWPA). Seventeen-year-old Max Wood won the title of young British wildlife photographer of the year with this image of a coot running across a lake at sunrise. Max Wood/British Wildlife Photography AwardsRaising environmental awareness is a key motivation for the prize. The young British photographer category, supported by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), encourages young people to engage with nature early. “We hope these images showcase to those around the UK and the world what we still have to hold onto and inspire people — particularly youngsters — to fight to protect our British nature.”

Persons: Ryan Stalker, ”, Will Nicholls, Max Wood, Jamie Smart, ” Nicholls, — Organizations: CNN, CNN —, Wildlife, Royal Society for Locations: Britain, Dorset, ”, British, Surrey

CNN —A road being built by the Israeli military splitting Gaza in two has reached the Mediterranean coast, a CNN analysis of satellite imagery shows. The plan has not been adopted by the IDF, but it includes elements that are coming into existence, including the Netzarim Corridor. Satellite imagery from November shows the tracks emerging, at a time when the military’s focus turned to surrounding Gaza City, advancing from the east. I remember it vividly.”Abu Holi was seldom open, Munther Al-Ashi, a lawyer from Gaza City, told CNN. “If our house in Gaza City has not been shelled, I would like to go back to it.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Al Rashid, Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli, Chikli, Israel, Shimon Orkabi, Volker Türk, ’ Emily Harding, Harding, Jamal Al, ”, ” Al, Rozzi, Khan Younis, “, Munther Al, Ashi, Al Rozzi Organizations: CNN, Israel Defense Forces, Al, Diaspora Affairs, IDF, Maxar Technologies, Planet Labs, Hamas, Israeli Engineering Corps, Combat Engineering Corps, Palestinian Friendship Hospital, Palestinian Friendship, UN, Human, Intelligence, National Security, Technology, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Israel, Rights Watch Locations: Gaza, Israel, Netzarim, Israeli, Gaza City, Be’eri, Chikli, Wadi Gaza, Turkish, Washington ,, ”, Rafah, “

☆ Tracking an Invisible Climate Menace From 360 Miles Above
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Malika Khurana | Hiroko Tabuchi | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +8 min

Gas sensor housing Infrared sensor Spectrometer Tracking an Invisible Climate Menace From 360 Miles Above There will soon be a new eye in the sky that’s designed to detect emissions of methane, an invisible yet potent gas that is dangerously heating the world. MethaneSAT will sweep the globe using a high-resolution infrared sensor to detect and track methane leaks from oil and gas sites worldwide. Scientists estimate that human-caused methane emissions are responsible for up to 30 percent of the global warming being experienced today. Figuring out where methane emissions are happening, how big they are and who’s responsible has been a challenge. Methane also seeps from natural sources, like flooded wetlands, but the majority of methane emissions today come from human activity.

Persons: ”, Steven Hamburg, ’, Dr, Hamburg, MethaneSAT, “, Drew Shindell, wasn’t, Biden, Bjorn Otto Sverdrup Organizations: Environmental Defense Fund, Google, Duke University, MethaneSAT, Union, Oil, Climate Initiative, Star Locations: Texas, United States

☆ How the fortune of one of America’s biggest pharmaceutical families has quietly funded conservative causes
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Casey Tolan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

From The Searle Freedom TrustThis year, the Searle trust is poised to play an even bigger role as it empties out its coffers. Researchers who study political nonprofits say that the Searle trust has had a major impact, even as the Searle family has stayed under the radar compared to more well-known conservative benefactors. The Searle trust is one of the most prolific funders of conservative groups among all private foundations, according to a CNN analysis of nonprofit tax data. The Searle trust has given millions to the Foundation for Government Accountability, which has worked behind the scenes to push conservative policies such as stricter voting laws. Dennis, the CEO of the Searle trust, is also the chair of DonorsTrust.

Persons: Searle, Daniel C, Trump, Donald Trump, ”, Galen Hall, who’s, Kimberly Dennis, ” Searle, “, Sarah Scaife, doesn’t, Michael B, Thomas, SPN, They’ve, ” Brendan Fischer, Brendan Fischer, “ They’ve, ” Hall, Caleb Rossiter, ” Galen Hall, movement’s MAGA, It’s, Mike Pence, that’s, Dennis, Henry Ford, John D, Rockefeller, ” Fischer, Gideon, Michael Searle, ” Dennis, “ We’re, Dan, Gideon Daniel Searle, Daniel Searle, Jonathan Eig, Jack Searle, Daniel Searle’s, Gregory Pincus, John Rock, Pincus, weren’t, –, Sue, Eig, Margaret Marsh, Enovid, misoprostol, Searle –, Pfizer –, ” Daniel Searle, Donald Rumsfeld, Searles, Biden, Wade, Dobbs, Kristen Batstone Organizations: CNN, Searle Freedom Trust, University of Michigan, Sarah Scaife Foundation, Searle, American Enterprise Institute, Reason Foundation, Tax Foundation, Manhattan Institute, Cato Institute, Foundation, Government, State Policy Network, American Legislative Exchange Council, Fair, Pacific Legal Foundation, Federalist Society, Competitive Enterprise Institute, Environment Research Center, CO2 Coalition, Heartland Institute, ”, CO2, Heartland, Republican Party, movement’s, America, Policy Institute, Trump, American Freedom Foundation, Everett, FDA, Rutgers University, Pfizer, Monsanto, Heritage Foundation, Reason, Affordable, New Civil Liberties Alliance, Public Policy Center, Claremont, National Women’s Health Network, Trust, IRS Locations: Missouri, St, Louis , Missouri, California, judgeships, ”, Omaha, Metamucil, Dramamine, Puerto, Brazil, Diet Coke, America

☆ A frog was found with mushroom sprouting from its side, leaving scientists baffled
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

A tiny frog baffled scientists by growing a mushroom on its side. Whether the frog continued to live with the mushroom on its side will remain a mystery. Rao's intermediate golden-backed frog is a small frog that is endemic to India. "When I first observed the frog with the mushroom, I was amazed and intrigued by the sight," Lohit told CNN. "To the best of our knowledge, never has a mushroom sprouting from the flank of a live frog been documented," the authors said in their paper.

Persons: Lohit, C Maliye, Matthew Smith, Smith, he'd, Alyssa Wetterau Kaganer, Karthikeyan Vasudevan, Kaganer Organizations: Service, CNN, New York Times, University of Florida, Times, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory, Centre, Cellular Locations: India, Telangana

☆ A frog in India has a mushroom sprouting out of it. Researchers have never seen anything like it
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Taylor Nicioli | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The prognosis of the frog with the mushroom hitchhiker is unknown, but there are a handful of theories as to the cause of its condition. Therefore, something like this is interesting and should be followed up with observations and screening of frogs,” Vasudevan said in an email. Initially, Vasudevan had thought the mushroom was stuck on the frog’s skin rather than a growth, but photos of the critter convinced him otherwise. “It is indeed the case of a live mushroom on a live frog,” Vasudevan said. The disease has been observed in low levels in all the frog hotspots across India, the authors of the new note wrote.

Persons: —, ”, Lohit, mycologists, Alyssa Wetterau Kaganer, ” Kaganer, Kaganer, Karthikeyan Vasudevan, Vasudevan, ” Vasudevan, it’ll Organizations: CNN, World Wildlife Fund, India, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory, Centre, Cellular Locations: Karnataka, India, Bengaluru, Kerala, Telangana

☆ In Ancient Bones, a Reminder that Northern Ireland’s Ghosts Are Never Far
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Ali Watkins | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

They turned up around Halloween, as a roaring storm gripped the wetlands of Northern Ireland and tilled its ground: human bones, sticking up from the tea-colored water in Bellaghy bog, halfway between Derry and Belfast. The skeletal remains were disconcerting enough. “The skin was as pink as ours,” said Detective Inspector Nikki Deehan, with the Police Service of Northern Ireland. We know now that the remains — extraordinarily well preserved — belonged to a teenage boy from the Iron Age, held together for thousands of years by the preservative power of the peat bog. But in the weeks before radiocarbon dating rendered the find an archaeological triumph, investigators wrestled with a more uncomfortable possibility: Was the body an echo of not-so-distant history, one with which the small island has yet to fully reckon?

Persons: ”, Nikki Deehan Organizations: Belfast, Police Service of Northern Locations: Northern Ireland, Derry, Police Service of Northern Ireland

☆ Mexico City may be just months away from running of out water
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-25 | by ( Laura Paddison | Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Mexico City CNN —Alejandro Gomez has been without proper running water for more than three months. Historic lowsDensely populated Mexico City stretches out across a high-altitude lake bed, around 7,300 feet above sea level. The Cutzamala water system, a network of reservoirs, pumping stations, canals and tunnels, supplies about 25% of the water used by the Valley of Mexico, which includes Mexico City. She and her family often have to pay more than $100 for a tank of water from one of the city’s water trucks. “I don’t think anyone is prepared.”CNN’s Laura Paddison and Jack Guy reported from London, and Fidel Gutiérrez reported from Mexico City.

Persons: Mexico City CNN — Alejandro Gomez, Gomez, ”, Christian Domínguez Sarmiento, Jose Alfredo Ramirez, Cesar Rodriguez, it’s, It’s, Fabiola Sosa, ” Germán Arturo Martínez Santoyo, Raquel Cunha, Garcia, Becerra, La Niña, El Niño, UNAM’s Sarmiento, Conagua, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Martí Batres Guadarrama, Sosa, Rodríguez, “, Henry Romero, Márquez, doesn’t, ‘, ” Sosa, Amanda Martínez, Laura Paddison, Jack Guy, Fidel Gutiérrez Organizations: Mexico City CNN, CNN, Authorities, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Bloomberg, Getty, Metropolitan Autonomous University, Reuters, University of Northern, Local, Mexico City’s, Cape Town, Advisory, Mexico City Locations: Mexico, Mexico City’s Tlalpan, doesn’t, Mexico City, UNAM, Tenochtitlan, Spanish, Conagua, Cutzamala, Villa, Villa Victoria, University of Northern British Columbia, Iztapalapa, South Africa, Tlalpan, London

☆ Israeli forces fired on food convoy in Gaza, UN documents and satellite analysis reveals
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-21 | by ( Katie Polglase | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“A convoy that had food on it, heading to the northern parts of the Gaza Strip. In the wake of the strike on February 5, UNRWA decided to stop sending convoys to northern Gaza. The UN estimates that 300,000 people are still living in northern Gaza, with very little assistance. “Because of the level of desperation in Gaza, people would see an aid convoy, they would come to the aid convoy, take the stuff from the aid convoy,” Touma told CNN. “By the time we get the approval, the aid convoy is empty.”Other routes are impassable due to debris and craters, satellite imagery reviewed by CNN shows.

Persons: ” Juliette Touma, CNN’s, Al Rashid, ” Touma, Thomas White, Tom White, “, ” Janina Dill, it’s, ”, Philippa Greer, COGAT, Abed Zagout, Israel “, Craig Jones, ” Jones, ” Gianluca Mezzofiore, Jennifer Hansler Organizations: UN, CNN CNN, United Nations, CNN, UNRWA, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Ministry of Health, Al, X, Oxford University’s Institute for Ethics, Law, US State Department, “, Government, Planet Labs, Food, Getty, Palestine Red Crescent Society, Health Organization, International Court of Justice, Newcastle University Locations: Gaza, Israel, Wadi Gaza, Palestinian, “ Israel, Al, Gaza City, Rafah, Egypt, Anadolu, French, Palestine, United Kingdom

☆ After Shutting Down, These Golf Courses Went Wild
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Cara Buckley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

There was scraggly grass in one sand trap and wooden blocks and a toy castle in another, evidence of children at play. People were walking their dogs on the fairway, which was looking rather ragged and unkempt. Nowadays, these grounds are mowed just twice a year, and haven’t been doused with pesticides or rodenticides since 2018, which was when this 157-acre stretch of land stopped being the San Geronimo Golf Course, and began a journey toward becoming wild, or at least wilder, once again. A small number of shuttered golf courses around the country have been bought by land trusts, municipalities and nonprofit groups and transformed into nature preserves, parks and wetlands. Among them are sites in Detroit, Pennsylvania, Colorado, the Finger Lakes of upstate New York, and at least four in California.

Persons: haven’t, wilder Organizations: San Locations: San Geronimo, Detroit , Pennsylvania, Colorado, New York, California

☆ ‘Vittrup Man’ was a Stone Age migrant before his violent death
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

What the team discovered while piecing together Vittrup Man’s life is shedding light on the movements and connections between different Stone Age cultures. Vittrup Man was likely born and grew up along the coast of the Scandinavian Peninsula, perhaps within the frigid climes of Norway or Sweden. Studying Vittrup Man has helped researchers gain insights about the genetics, lifestyles and ritual practices that can be traced to Stone Age societies, Sjögren said. A cartoon included with the new research depicts how Vittrup Man was possibly sacrificed in a swamp. But it’s also possible that Vittrup Man was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Persons: “, ”, Anders Fischer, piecing, Vittrup, Karl, Göran Sjögren, Lasse Sørensen, ” Sørensen, Sjögren, ” Fischer, Fischer, Niels Bach, Kristian Kristiansen, it’s, Roy van Beek, Van Beek, ” van Beek Organizations: CNN, Stone, University of Gothenburg, National Museum, Wageningen University & Research Locations: Denmark, Northern Europe, Vittrup, Sweden, Sealand, Norway, Scandinavia, subsisting, Copenhagen, Europe, Netherlands

Hockey is coming back to the New Jersey Meadowlands in a big way this weekend with MetLife Stadium serving as the venue for the NHL's Stadium Series. These games will influence the playoff hopes for all the teams with less than two months left in the regular season. Photos You Should See View All 22 ImagesNHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly wasn't sure if any of the 39 previous outdoor games had as much playoff implication. Brodeur, who started for the Devils in an outdoor game at Yankee Stadium against the Rangers in 2014, said the organization wants the players to embrace the game. You gotta block those noises.”It's the first time the league scheduled outdoor games on consecutive days with fans.

Persons: Bill Daly wasn't, ” Daly, Hall, Martin Brodeur, Brodeur, “, ” Brodeur, Travis Konecny, Lindy Ruff, ” Ruff, Jon Ledecky, ”, Keegan Kolesar, Jonas Brothers, Steve Mayer, Stephen Whyno, Allan Kreda, Willie Ramirez Organizations: Four Metropolitan Division, Hockey, New Jersey Meadowlands, MetLife, New, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Rangers, Islanders, Flyers, Devils, Eastern, NHL, Hall of Famer, Meadowlands, Rockies, Newark, Yankee, Stanley, ” Islanders, Parc Ferland, Vegas Golden Knights, Seattle, Vegas Locations: RUTHERFORD, N.J, New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, Colorado, Lake Tahoe , Nevada, Alberta, Canada, New York City, Montreal

☆ The Amazon has survived changes in the climate for 65 million years. Now it’s heading for collapse, a study says
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Rosa Rahimi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“Our findings revealed how the Amazon forest system could enter a phase of self-reinforced collapse sooner than previously thought.”Previous studies had not predicted a collapse of this scale could happen in the 21st century. “The Amazon forest is a major pump of moisture into the atmosphere, contributing to circulation processes that transfer moisture across the globe,” Flores said. Douglas Magno/AFP/Getty ImagesThe authors of the study noted that water stress was a common factor in the disturbances to the Amazon. Water stress occurs when there is not enough water to meet human or ecological needs. Global warming is intensifying the effects of water stress by causing the Amazonian climate to become drier and warmer.

Persons: “, ” Bernardo Flores, ”, ” Flores, Douglas Magno, Richard Allan, Flores Organizations: CNN, Federal University of Santa, Paraguay —, South, Getty, Science, University of Reading Locations: Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil, South America, Bolivia, Paraguay, Plata, Labrea, Amazonas, AFP

☆ Greenland has lost ice 36 times the size of New York. That’s a huge problem for the planet
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Angela Dewan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The area of Greenland’s ice loss in the past three decades is roughly 36 times the size of New York City — land that is rapidly giving way to wetlands and shrubs, a study published Tuesday shows. Ice loss has exposed barren rock in parts of the country. Mark Smith/University of LeedsWarmer air temperatures have driven ice loss, which has in turn raised land temperatures. Snow and ice typically reflect the sun’s energy back into space, preventing excessive heating in parts of the Earth. Ice melt also increases the amount of water in lakes, where water absorbs more heat than snow, which increases land surface temperatures.

Persons: Jonathan Carrivick, Mark Smith, ‘, Michael Grimes, “, ” Organizations: CNN, University of Leeds, “ Locations: New York City, Greenland, Kangerlussuaq, Bowdoin, Qaanaaq, Kingdom of Denmark

☆ Stefan Irvine’s photos capture the Hong Kong villages reclaimed by nature
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-13 | by ( Rebecca Cairns | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Hong Kong CNN —Thick roots tumble across a dilapidated house, the snake-like trunks of a banyan tree framing where the front door once stood. “These villages have existed in Hong Kong for hundreds of years, way before the colonial period,” explained Irvine. In the 1950s and ‘60s, as Hong Kong grew as an industrial hub, many people migrated to the rapidly expanding urban centers for better working opportunities. Stefan Irvine / Courtesy Blue Lotus Gallery, Hong Kong“There were calendars on the wall, school certificates in drawers — it’s quite poignant,” said Irvine. Stefan Irvine / Courtesy Blue Lotus Gallery, Hong KongHeritage valueWhile most of the villages Irvine photographed are abandoned, he was surprised to discover not all were.

Persons: Stefan Irvine, ” Irvine, “ It’s, ”, “, Irvine, Wong Chuk, Lai Chi Wo, they’ll, Tung Ping Chau, Yim Tin Tsai, Luk Keng, Lai, they’ve, Hong, Wo Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, steely, Hong, HK, Irvine, Blue Lotus Locations: Hong Kong, Malaysian, India, Irvine, New Territories, Accounting, Hong Kong’s, London, Tai Peng, Lamma, Lai Chi, Queen's Hill, Fanling, Tung, Shenzhen, China, “, Mau, Lai, Hong

“We expect stringent government oversight of our mining-to-reclamation project, which will be fully protective of the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge and the region’s environment,” Ingle said in a statement. The swamp’s wildlife, cypress forests and flooded prairies draw roughly 600,000 visitors each year, according to the U.S. Despite efforts by President Joe Biden to restore federal oversight, the Army Corps entered a legal agreement with Twin Pines to maintain its hands-off position. The mining project is moving forward as the National Park Service seeks designation of the Okefenokee wildlife refuge as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Twin Pines denied wrongdoing, but said it agreed to the fine to avoid further permitting delays.

Persons: Deb Haaland, Josh Marks, “, Steve Ingle, ” Ingle, C, Rhett Jackson, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Ben Prater, EPD Organizations: Georgia Environmental, Twin, Twin Pines Minerals, Refuge, Georgia -, Twin Pines, U.S . Fish, Wildlife Service, and Wildlife Service, University of Georgia, ., Army Corps of Engineers, Army Corps, National Park Service, UNESCO, of Wildlife Locations: SAVANNAH, Ga, Georgia, Twin Pines, Birmingham , Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia - Florida, Atlanta, Twin, blackwater

LUANG PRABANG, Laos (AP) — Landlocked Laos doesn't have the famous beaches of its neighbors to attract tourists, but instead relies on the pristine beauty of its mountains and rivers and historical sites to bring in visitors. The crown jewel is Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where legend has it that Buddha once rested during his travels. Nestled among the mountains of northern Laos, Luang Prabang was the capital from the 14th to the 16th century before it was moved to Vientiane. “This dam won't generate a lot of power for Laos, it's going to power new shopping malls in Bangkok,” Eyler said of the Luang Prabang project. “In isolation, the potential transboundary harmful effects due to the Luang Prabang hydropower project may not be substantial," the river commission said.

Persons: Buddha, it's, ”, Brian Eyler, Stimson, Eyler, ” Eyler, Philip Hirsch, “, you've, ” Hirsch, Vietnam —, Barbara Curti Organizations: UNESCO, Asia Program, Sustainability, ” UNESCO, Associated Press, Ministry of Information, Foreign Ministry, Heritage, Monitor, Sydney University, CBA, Commission Locations: LUANG PRABANG, Laos, Prabang, Southeast Asia, Washington, Luang Prabang, Luang, Paris, New Delhi, Vientiane, Vietnam, China, Kunming, Thailand, Stimson, Bangkok, British, Cambodia, Asia, asia

☆ What Happens When We Don’t Drain the Swamps - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Margaret Renkl | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Even toddlers who find the ocean overwhelmingly huge and alien will merrily splash in a tidal pool, dabbling their dimpled fingers in the water. Last week Nashville got its first truly drenching rains in months, and the rain fell on soil already saturated by melting snow and ice. The whole wild world — parched first by severe drought and then by hard freeze — came up from burrows or descended from trees to drink. And because wetlands in the United States are more imperiled now than they were just a year ago. Too few of us understand how fundamental these damp, spongy places are to the struggling organism we call Earth.

Persons: I’ve Organizations: Nashville, United Nations Locations: United States

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